Not every Bangkok investment should be evaluated purely on rental yield.
In this case, the objective was different from the beginning: liquidity, tenant quality and minimal vacancy risk.
The investor acquired an apartment in Thong Lor for 9 million THB, choosing one of Bangkok’s most established residential areas rather than a higher-yield emerging district.
Why Thong Lor?
Thong Lor remains one of Bangkok’s most liquid residential markets, particularly for international tenants.
The property is located around Soi 38, one of the most attractive residential streets in the area: quiet, green and well connected, while still close to BTS Thong Lo, restaurants, cafés, international schools and the wider Sukhumvit lifestyle ecosystem.
For this type of investment, the objective is not to maximize the headline ROI, but to own an asset in a location where demand remains consistently deep and resale liquidity is structurally stronger.
The Investment
The apartment was acquired for 9,000,000 THB (230.000 euro) in a project developed by Land & Houses, one of Thailand’s established residential developers.
The investment thesis was based on three elements:
- strong developer reputation
- prime Thong Lor location
- broad demand from expat professionals and long-term tenants
This type of asset is designed to be easier to rent, easier to hold and, potentially, easier to resell than a more niche product in a secondary location.
Market Entry and Results
The property is currently rented at 45,000 THB per month net.
The strategy here is not aggressive rental optimization.
Instead, the priority is occupancy stability and near-zero vacancy, supported by the depth of the Thong Lor tenant market.
For investors with a larger capital base, this can be a very different proposition from chasing maximum yield: accepting a lower rental return in exchange for a more established location, stronger tenant demand and higher liquidity.
ROI Calculation
- Purchase price: 9,000,000 THB → €236,842
- Monthly rent: 45,000 THB → €1,184/month
- Annual rent: 540,000 THB → €14,211/year
- Gross yield: 6%
A 6% gross yield may be lower than what can be achieved in some emerging Bangkok districts, but yield is only one part of the investment equation.
In this case, the investor is effectively paying for location quality, liquidity and reduced vacancy risk.
Why This Matters
A Bangkok portfolio does not necessarily need every property to perform the same function.
Some assets can be selected for higher cash flow. Others can be selected for capital preservation, tenant depth and resale liquidity.
Thong Lor belongs to the second category.
A well-positioned apartment on Soi 38, developed by Land & Houses and rented at 45,000 THB per month, offers exposure to one of Bangkok’s most established residential markets while maintaining stable rental income.
The objective is not simply to maximize ROI.
It is to own an asset that can remain easy to rent, highly liquid and resilient across different market conditions.